The initiative, sponsored by Mayor Kip Holden's office, helps beautify neighborhoods and fix up blighted properties. Police and fire officials also help secure neighborhoods both by installing smoke alarms and addressing abandoned lots.

Smiley Heights residents said the project is definitely needed.

"If things or people's houses are fixed, elderly people need help," said Margaret Augustus. "My neighborhood, grass needs to be cut, trash needs to be cleaned up, all of that."

"It kind of kicks off the initiative for residents who live here that the city has not forgotten about them," said Councilwoman Donna Collins-Lewis. "But they are concerned about every community and so, it kind of jumpstarts that for them and gives them some hope."

The task force hopes to expand into other neighborhoods in the future.